Written question asked by Lord Moonie (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 25 January 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 February 2021. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Aviation: Volcanoes

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what lessons they have learned from the aftermath of the explosion of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland on 14 April 2010 and the consequent ash cloud, in particular in relation to aviation; and what measures they have put in place in response to the impact of that eruption.

Answer: The UK is prepared to deal with a significant Icelandic volcanic eruption. Since 2010, the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), NATS and industry have developed a bespoke response guidance, which is regularly exercised and updated. In addition, new radar and monitoring equipment has been established in Iceland; the Met Office has enhanced its ash-modelling capability; and revised operating procedures for aircraft flight in ash‑contaminated airspace have been agreed.

Secondary information